I love this series because it’s got a breathless pace. I would categorize it as historical action/ adventure. It’s also got some of the best anti-heroes (Lazarus Huntington, anyone?) and tough-as-nails heroines I’ve ever read. Add masked vigilantes, some light bondage, a Beauty and the Beast novel, set to low for 8 hours, stir before serving, and you have a recipe for all of Elyse’s catnip.
After twelve books, the series is wrapping up, which is giving me all the bittersweet feels. Author Elizabeth Hoyt agreed to answer a few of my questions about the Maiden Lane world.
Elyse: First of all, thanks for being super cool at RT in Dallas when I showed up in the lobby in my pajamas to meet you. I’m pretty sure my PJs had cats in astronaut gear on them, I was holding a glass of champagne, and you didn’t bat an eyelash.
Elizabeth Hoyt: Ha! I think that was after another looong RITAs program…. PJs sounded like a good idea.
Elyse: One of the things I love so much about the Maiden Lane series is that it has such a strong action/ adventure element to it. We have masked vigilantes, river pirates, and dukes working to bring down cults. The characters are always moving, always doing, and often in danger. How do you incorporate all these different elements into your world? As a writer, is it difficult to maintain that kind of pace?
Elizabeth Hoyt: You know, I didn’t consciously set out to write action-y romances when I first started writing. But a lot of what I like in romances — swordfights! Concealed identities! People being saved from death and maiming! — are a byproduct of action. Also, it turns out that I’m easily bored, which may be part of the reason there’s always new, exciting things going on in my books. What sometimes becomes problematic is keeping the level of intensity consistent from book to book in a series.
Elyse: This series has a very distinct sense of time and place. You write in the Georgian era around the 1730’s and 1740’s, well before the Regency. What made you want to write about this specific period in English history?
Elizabeth Hoyt: I think it’s more interesting. The time is slightly more earthy, the dresses are (in my opinion) more elegant, and the guys are wearing wigs and swords. Lots of things are happening socially and economically. London’s population is exploding, the Enlightenment is blooming, the agricultural revolution is beginning, and people are discovering real science. All the great action adventure romances in movies and books were set in this time period — Scaramouche, Captain Blood, The Scarlet Pimpernel—and my favorite as a very impressionable twelve year old—Poldark.
Elyse: My favorite Maiden Lane heroes are always the anti-heroes. When I recommend Wicked Intentions I tell people the hero was like Lucius Malfoy if he was a romance hero who was also into bondage. The Duke of Montgomery reminds me of Patrick Jane, one of my favorite TV characters. And then there’s Mickey O’Connor, an actual pirate. All of these heroes do some really dubious things, are clearly flawed, yet somehow totally work as heroes. How do you balance the anti-hero and hero out so they don’t alienate the reader? Are your heroes inspired by any historical or pop culture figures?
Elizabeth Hoyt: I think the writer has to reveal the anti-hero’s humanity to the reader to make them work. The reader has to sympathize with the character if not his actions. But I don’t worry about alienating the reader too much. I think a lot of romance writers don’t take enough risks with their villainy heroes—they’re too worried that readers won’t like the character. If a few readers don’t loathe a character, others won’t love him.
I don’t really base my characters on real or fictional figures, though I’ve certainly been inspired by them. Case in point, Lazarus’s look in Wicked Intentions was a direct result of seeing Jason Isaacs in a long, white-blond wig in the Harry Potter films, OMG.
I started thinking about a true villainous hero while watching 3:10 to Yuma with Russell Crowe. I was fascinated by his character in that movie—he’s the villain and he’s obviously either a sociopath or close to it, but he’s also the most enthralling character in the movie, with a weird sort of masculine ethos that’s almost heroic. That line of thought eventually (several years later) ended in Val in Duke of Sin. Val also owes quite a bit to Tom Hiddleston’s portrayal of Loki. 😉
Elyse: You also write really tough, resilient heroines. Lady Phoebe Batten from Dearest Rogue is blind, and determined to prove to her protector that it doesn’t hold her back at all. Temperance and her sister Silence are both faced with some really dire circumstances that they approach with remarkable grit. And Alf from Duke of Pleasure is basically Batman. Who is your favorite heroine? Who was the most fun to write?
Elizabeth Hoyt: I think Phoebe is my favorite heroine — she’s just so strong and cheerful — and it was a fun challenge to write her POV scenes without any visual descriptions. I really enjoyed writing Alf, not only because she’s a smartass but because swordfights! In a dress!
Elyse: As sad as I am to see this series end, I’m excited for what’s to come. Can you tell us what you’re working on next?
Elizabeth Hoyt: I’ve been dodging this question for the last several months—not because I didn’t have something I’ve been working on, but because I wasn’t ready to reveal anything about my new series.
But I think I’ve got enough of the first book to give you a tiny—exclusive!—peek:
Lady Freya de Moray has never had a season, never been courted. Due to the terrible scandal involving her brother, the Duke of Ayr, she’s been shunned. Now eight-and-twenty, she’s changed her name and found employment in London as a governess-cum-chaperone for two young girls. It’s unappreciated work, but she’s grown fond of her charges and made peace with her life.
Until, that is, she runs into Christopher “Kester” Renshaw, the Earl of Harlow, the man who helped ruin her brother and destroyed her life. Not only does the scoundrel not recognize Freya, he’s wearing the Ayr ring—a family heirloom taken off the finger of her brother the night he was disfigured. On the spot Freya decides to take back a little of what was snatched from her family…and steal that ring.
Elyse: Oh, like that’s going to be an easy book to wait for!
So if you’re thinking you’d like to try the Maiden Lane series, and you’re not sure where to start, Forever Publishing is making it very easy with a giveaway!
We have a complete set of all the paperback Maiden Lane novels, with signed bookplates, and a Forever romance tote bag for one lucky winner!
YES. The ENTIRE paperback series, including:
That’s a lot of books – and it’s perfect for binge reading. To enter, just leave a comment and tell us what essentials you’ll have with you for this binge-reading extravaganza!
Standard disclaimers apply: Open to US and Canadian readers. Fighting over your favorite Hoyt hero in the comments is definitely encouraged. Please acquire a chaperone for any Maiden Lane outings, and if you plan to binge read the series, make sure you have a significant amount of PTO or sick time at work! Comments will close Friday 27 October and a winner announced shortly afterward.
Good luck, and thank you to Elizabeth Hoyt and Grand Central/Forever!
Winner update: Huge congratulations to Arielle!
Thank you to everyone who commented and we hope you’re all excited about the next Hoyt book!
The recliner, a drink, 2 dogs and my 2 year old granddaughter, fighting over who gets to sit in Grandma’s lap.
Ooh, hot tea, cheese and crackers, and my comfy reading chair. I’ve been lucky to have read some of these in ebook, but they come across as frequent re-reads, so this is too fun! Hugh! Raphael! Such good stuff.
Definitely a comfy bed or couch, snuggle blankets, an endless supply of tea and peppermint!
The cozy sofa in the livingroom far far away from the tv. I would have pillows, the pink chevron afghan my grandma crocheted for me 45 years ago. I would have a pot of Darjeeling Tea with Lemon ars chocolate chip cookies in a tin. (So reader dog, Lucy doest eat them )Snoring on the sofa would be reader dog, Lucy. Lounging on my hip would be reader cat, Katje. On my tablet will be a photo of my virtual dog, Miss Puppy Pie…
My essentials are my two cats, Young Master Colby and the Lovely Ms. Lily, asleep on my lap, a pot of Doubble Bergamot Earl Grey if it is before 5 PM, a glass (or two) Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, or Shiraz if it is after 5 PM.
Coffee! Comfy jammies, couch near my open window, coffee, probably some chips and chocolate, coffee, and of course wine!!! My husband will take all 4 little kiddos so I can sit and fantasize about Val and Mickey without being interrupted for at least one day!!
For sure, I will be in a pile of cats and my dog with a mug of tea and a snack.
Coffee and a blanket are all I need.
Prosecco, chocolate chip cookies, warm afghan, and fuzzy socks!
Coffee, tea, water, gum, chocolate chips by guittard, my uber amazing Pendleton wool blanket, 2 dogs, and a cat that imagines himself my dictator.
I would have a lot of snacks (maybe even a sandwich) and close my door and read.
Sofa, cat, and a pot of tea. 😀
Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate, then either (or both at different times) Werthers Caramels or Pringles Salt and Vinegar chips PLUS the all-important, extended toddler nap.
Heated blanket, decaf coffe, and all of my grading completed for the semester so I can binge away without guilt!
I would love to have this series in my hands! I was thinking that they would be a wonderful Christmas gift to me! I enjoyed every word of each book.
My kindle charging cable, water, my armchair, and a nice free weekend is pretty much all I need.
Lots and lots of Diet Coke plus my cat, Captain Apollo, and some snacks. I also would need a fire in the fireplace and a quilt.
All I need is a comfy blanket and a week off to binge read one of my favorite series!
My fave spot on my reclining sofa, a nice cup of coffee or tea, and something sweet to munch on (maybe cranberry orange scones?! Yum!
Bottle of red wine, cheese and charcuterie plate, comfy socks on and (my go to place to read) laying on my husband’s side of the bed.
OMG Lots of wine and chocolate LOL I love all the Maiden Lane books. The heroes are perfectly imperfect and the heroines are strong and amazing. This series is a must buy and I’m sad to see it end, but eager for the future of Ms. Hoyt’s storytelling.
Ideal binge reading items: curled up on the couch in my robe with our fluffiest blanket and a hot drink- coffee, tea or hot chocolate, depending on the book and my mood – and if I’m hungry, a crisp apple or a warm chocolate chip cookie.
Most likely binge reading items: sitting up on the couch with a cup of tea that’s gone cold, with my nursing pillow, while my 8 week old daughter is nursing or just sleeping on me. But now that I think about it, she’s a pretty sweet reading companion!
Coffee and a comfy blanket is needed
I love reading in my comfy chair or bed with a fresh cup of mint tea any time of the day or night! I love all of your books!
For a binge read like this I’d be secluded in my room with a quilt made by my grandma and an endless supply of hot chocolate!
All i need is my comfy chair, fuzzy blanket, tea and snacks! I LOVE this series! I’ve 2 weeks vacation coming up soon so I’ve got plenty of uninterrupted reading time as well!!
Lots if chocolate. I love historical romance. Thanks.
magic5905 at embarqmail dot com
My recliner chair near the window in the living room, coffee in one of my seasonal mugs, and a fresh bag of peanut M&Ms. I’d have to take a reading break every three or four books to avoid swashbuckling dreams.
My binge-reading is confined to nights, after the kids are in bed, so here’s what I need:
– Tea. All the tea. Water for additional hydration. It’s gonna be a long night.
– Comfy comfy clothes. NO BRA.
– Lots of pillows: a big firm one, a softer one on top of that, a small one for my right arm (my page clickin’/flippin’ arm), and a neck pillow
– A snack that won’t make crumbs, like string cheese
– Clip-on reading light for when my husband complains that it’s late and we need to get up early
– Earbuds for soothing music (I’ve been enjoying the “Autumn Classical” playlist on Spotify)
Depending on the time of day, a cup of tea or a glass of wine.
This is quite exciting, as I’ve read most but not all of the series.
For binge reading I need my lamp (good light is essentially), a blanket (I need to be cozy), socks (ditto), and a water bottle.
First I’ll have to stake out the recliner and a blankie, then stock the kitchen with Earl Grey and choclava(TM)(chocolate almond baklava), and finally, send the spouse to the dog park for however long it takes. And, yeah, he does have a dog.
My lazy boy chair and some hot chocolate!
Time stop device, water, snacks, comfy deck chair, shade and perfect weather
Coffee, a comfy chair, a warm blanket, and perhaps the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack. 🙂
A mug of green tea and my golden retriever are all I need
Coffee, a soft blanket and my cuddly cat.
A cozy blanket and all of the coffee
The only thing I need to binge read is my couch and favorite blanket to get comfy. I binge read a lot.
PJ pants, my gas fireplaces turned on, and my comfy chair!